Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits nabbed in Zamboanga, PNP chief says

Some suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were arrested in separate operations in Zamboanga City, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Monday. 

In a press conference, Cascolan said three individuals, identified as Kadija Sadji, 31; Abdulman Sarapuddin Tula, 32; and Jailani Al-Rafee Sakandal, 31, were nabbed in a residence in Barangay Lower Calarian in the wee hours of October 9 after authorities served a search warrant issued by Honorable Gregorio Dela Peña, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 12 in Zamboanga City. 

Seized from them were some materials used for making improvised explosive devices, two hand grenades, a caliber .45 pistol, several rounds of 5.56 mm rifle ammunition and an ISIS flag. 

Cascolan said Sadji and Tula are alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group and ISIS financial conduits of Dawlah Islamiya under Mundi Sawadjaan. 

He said Tula is allegedly in charge of logistics and provisions for the group of Sawadjaan and Radullan Sahiron in Sulu province while Sadji is the wife of Al Asgar, son of the late Abu Sayyaf founder Abdurajak Janjalani.

On the other hand, Cascolan said authorities are still determining the role of 
Sakandal, an active member of the Philippine Coast Guard with a rank of apprentice seaman, in the local terror group. 

In a separate statement, Coast Guard commandant Admiral George Ursabia said the PCG would fully cooperate with the ongoing probe on the incident, "as the service does not tolerate any personnel involved in any kind of illegal activity."

Ursabia directed the Coast Guard Internal Affairs Unit to conduct a parallel investigation on the matter. If found guilty of violating the law, Sakandal will face consequences, Ursabia said.

On Sunday, combined forces of the police and military also nabbed Hassan Anang Mohammad, also known as Usi, a senior member of the Abu Sayyaf. Cascolan said the suspect is involved in the kidnapping and beheading of one Doroteo Gonzales in 2009 in Basilan.

Cascolan added that Mohammad had a warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, issued by Honorable Jesus Carbon Jr., presiding judge of the RTC Branch 16 in Zamboanga City. 

According to the PNP chief, these individuals were planning to launch attacks in Zamboanga. 

"As for the activities of these people who were arrested, of course we would say they are still planning to have bombings, most especially in Zamboanga," Cascolan said. 

Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Edgar Monsalve, director of the intelligence group, said despite the arrests, local terror groups continue with their recruitment just to sow fear among the public. 

"They are terrorists and their always goal is to conduct operations, especially targeting security forces and may collateral damage na civilian minsan. Ang kanilang misyon talaga is to sow terror," Monsalve said. 

Cascolan said the arrest of the suspects has a huge impact on the operations of Sawadjaan's group. 

"Of course, hindi sila masyadong makakagalaw ngayon. They know for a fact na they're being watched and we will continuously monitor them," Cascolan said. —KG/RSJ, GMA News